Running head: INTERVIEW OF MENTAL HEALTH CASE MANAGER 1
Interview of Mental Health Case Manager
Name
Institution
Interview of Mental Health Case Manager
The interview with a case manager named John took place in October 14, 2018 at 10:00 and ended at approximately 11:20. John is the Case Manager at a Mental Health Hospital. His primary job responsibilities include helping patients attain their recovery goals. He acts on behalf of the patients to make sure they get the best services they need to recover and offers the patients a range of treatments including recreational and rehabilitation activities. In addition, he is there to make sure that the services patients get respond to their needs quickly and efficiently (Health & Human Services, 2014).
The first questions I asked John addressed different functions of case management. I asked John, based on his own experience in the department of Mental Health, whether he would eliminate any functions from the list given. The list included; client identification and outreach, intake, psychosocial assessment, indexing, service planning and counselling. Kevin said that this is a sum of what they do. Then he further explains that they go even an extra mile by engaging with the community, partnering with different non-profit and faith based organizations. They also integrate different resources to create more all-inclusive services for their clients.
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The second question I asked John was whether he performs this function of helping clients as part of his case management role. John’s response was yes. He continued to explain how they do the process. He explained that he has twenty-five staff working for him and each one has his/her own expertise. The different staffs include; ten case managers, psychologist, house specialist, therapist, psychoactive nurses among others. All these staff have goals in assisting individual clients, making it a team effort. Therefore, the functions for each client are done through shared responsibilities. John continues to explain that the staffs hold regular meetings to determine whether the goals of the clients are being properly carried out. If this is not the case, then they find out what can be done to achieve their clients’ plan. John continues to say that the only thing that hinders his team from performing their functions is lack of resources; there are policies that can restrict how he can serve his clients.
The next question I asked John was what has been the most successful part of his experience as a case manager. John shared a story about when he started working for the agency. He continued to say that he would see patients who had psychotic episodes during their intake and it was rewarding when he saw these patients at end of their treatment functioning relatively normal, which exhibited progression. He went on and explained that the ultimate goal of a case manager is to help improve lives and thus this type of field is investing in the betterment of others.
The next question I asked John was some of the main problems he faces in doing case management. John stated that resources are the main problem as a practitioner. There are no enough resources to assist all his clients. He also stated that motivation of his clients is an issue because they do not even recognize they have a problem, which needs to be addressed. He went on to explain the lack of enough knowledge for both family and community is another problem. He told me they have specific programs for family members to help educate them and they are also actively involved with many events in the community.
The last question I asked John was what advice he would give to a new case manager coming into this agency. John said he would tell them to know their resources and they are in the business of helping people, which requires them to have empathy towards their clients. Also, to work as a team with colleagues to give the best situations for their clients’ needs.
The interview ended and I thanked John for taking the time out of his tight schedule to come meet with me. I also asked him if it was alright to contact him again if in the future I have similar project. John said that if his schedule permits he does not mind and he added that he tries to make time for these kinds of interviews, because he feels that it is part of educating the community. I thanked John again and told him to have a nice afternoon. The interview taught me the importance of teamwork and the selflessness I never knew existed in health mental hospitals. I also learn how communities and non-profit and faith organizations contribute in the wellbeing of mental patients (Woodside, 2003).
References;
Health and Human Services. (2014). Mental health services – Case managers. Retrieved on October 15, 2018. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/mental-health-services-case-managers
Woodside, M., McClam, T. (2003). Required skills and values for effective case management. General Case Management. p113
